COUNCILS throughout Greater Manchester are checking speed cameras to see if any have to be removed under new government guidelines.

Hidden spy cameras, designed to trap as many motorists as possible, will be scrapped in favour of highly visible lenses.

And they will only be allowed in accident blackspots not on roads where drivers speed but there are few crashes.

One likely to be moved is on Princess Parkway, at the end of the M56, which is obscured by a road sign.

A spokesman for Manchester city council said: "We have never had a deliberate policy of hiding speed cameras.

Visible

"But as more road signs go up and roadside trees and shrubs grow it is inevitable that some can become obscured. We have a number which we will soon be installing, and they will all be clearly visible and signposted. At the same time we will be reviewing the position of current cameras."

Cameras in Greater Manchester are all managed by councils, who will check them in the light of the new order.

Cheshire police said all the cameras in the county were at blackspots and visible.

Rochdale and Bury councils said they did not think they would have to remove cameras.

A spokesman for Bolton council said their cameras would "probably not need to be relocated", but some might have to be made more conspicuous.

Stockport said all its cameras complied with current criteria but they would be adding to their stock.